AINSDALE’S four-month quest to recruit a high-quality overseas player has ended with the signing of the Indian fast bowler Dhiraj Goswami.

The 25-year-old Assam cricketer, who has played 28 first class matches, also bats at No 8 for his state side in the Ranji Trophy, and Liverpool Road skipper Dave Newcombe believes he can have a similar impact to that achieved by Rakesh Patel some seasons ago.

Newcombe said: "Dhiraj has only been hitting his straps in the last 12 months but he's hungry and he wants to improve.

"That's what we want too and it helps to explain why we spent four months attempting to sign him at a time when he was sometimes playing a lot of state cricket.

"Dhiraj is reasonably sharp and he's got a good inducker. That's why he gets a lot of his wickets either bowled or lbw."

Along with Malcolm Swift and Tony Rogan, Goswami will provide Ainsdale with a three-man seam attack next summer, but Newcombe is still hopeful of making further signings before April.

"A few lads have drifted away from the club over recent years and I'm trying to get them to come back," he said.

"Paul Hughes is returning to us after a two-year sabbatical and we also have other irons in the fire as regards player recruitment.

"I also want to make sure we have a good atmosphere in the dressing room because friendliness and the crack between players will take you through the hard times."